1. Representation and
Stereotypes
Lauren, Nathan and Emma

2. Representation
Media representations are the ways in which the
media portray particular
groups, communities, experiences, ideas and topics
from a particular ideological or value perspective.
Rather than examining media representations as
simply reflecting or mirroring reality.

3. Gender
Gender is represented in the media by masculinity
or femininity. Both males and females can be
represented as masculine or feminine.
Masculinity – strong, tough, muscly
Femininity – gracious, delicate, beauty

4. Age
Age is the length of time that one has existed.
Age is represented by:
Babies
Children
Teenagers
Adults
The Elderly

5. Ethnicity
Ethnicity is the representation of race. Ethnic minorities
are usually represented in four ways in the media:
Exotic – being foreign and ‘different’ is a key part of
the medias representation of ethnicity
Dangerous – Ethnicity is also represented by the
persons background.
Humorous – People with different ethnicities are
usually classed as funny and happy
Pitied – different races are pitied in different ways
whether that be because of smartness or poverty.

6. Sexuality
Sexuality is a persons sexual preference or
orientation. Some examples of different sexualities
would be:
Heterosexual
Homosexual
Bisexual
Asexual
Polysexual
Pansexual
Transsexual

7. Class and Status
Classes:
Upper Class: A social class composed of the
wealthiest members of society.
Middle Class: A class situated in the middle of a
social hierarchy.
Working Class: Those employed in the social tier.
Lower Class: Lower than a middle rank in a society.
Status: Somebody with a higher or lower status within
a particular class.

8. Physical Ability/Disability
Physical Ability – The ability to perform a physical
act and with the same mental ability.
Disability – The condition of being unable to
perform as a consequence of physical or mental
inability.
For example a person may be missing a limb, be
wheelchair bound, or able to walk and exercise.

9. Regional Identity
Regional identity is identification with a specific
geographic region of a nation. Some examples if
different regional identities are:
Northern
Southern
Eastern
Western

10. Stereotypes
A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or
idea of a particular type of person or thing.

11. Ethnicity
Different ethnic groups are subject to stereotype.
Examples of this would be:
A Jamaican person would be stereotypically
represented as a Rastafarian person who has
little worries about life.
An English person would stereotypically have a
stiff upper lip, enjoy drinking tea and be very
patriotic towards Queen and Country.

12. Physical Ability/Disability
A physically able person would be stereotypically
fit and able to take part in sporting activities.
Somebody who has a disability would
stereotypically be segregated from society. The
symptoms of the disability may be exaggerated
for dramatic effect. For example, a mental illness
and its symptoms may be exaggerated in order
for the audience to be aware of the problems that
the character is facing.

19. Verisimilitude